SOS: Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

Back in April, I postedThe Lone Star State is Brightly Burning…detailing the dire conditions of my fair state. Well, it is now June and we’ve still not received rain. Literally, in my area, we’ve had no rain to speak of since late March. Worse, the forecast doesn’t look too promising anytime soon. I cannot remember a time when we’ve gone for so long without any rain – at all. Luckily, I have an artesian fed well that supplies water for my livestock. The underground veins that lead to this well have also allowed for my North grazing pasture to remain somewhat green, albeit very short. However, not all Texans are as “lucky” as DeLoach Farms.

The folks atBluebonnet Equine Humane Society College Station, Texaswork with law enforcement agencies throughout Texas to help starving, abused, abandoned and neglected horses. They also offer assistance in the form of education and advice to agencies, including other rescues, outside the state of Texas. BEHS is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of equines by educating and helping owners, assisting law enforcement agencies, rehabilitating abused and neglected equines, and placing them into safe, permanent homes. BEHS President Jennifer Williams, PhD won the 2010 Good Samaritan Visionary Award from the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Currently, BEHS Pres. Jennifer is placing an SOS: “The economy and drought have had their toll on the horses in Texas. We’ve have a couple of very bad neglect cases where we need to assist law enforcement in seizing horses. We need more space and more money if we’re going to help any more horses! Please consider adopting (1/2 price fees!), becoming a foster home or donating. These horses are desperate for help our hearts are breaking for them.”

I know, I know…We’re all in a bind right now. Trust me; I know firsthand just how bad this economy and lack of rain is making things. But… If you have a dollar to spare, or an open stall, or even some much needed extra hay, it would be most greatly appreciated. Below are the contacts and one of the sponsor stories from BEHS. Also, don’t miss out on the BluebonnetRescue Horse Training Challenge(details below)!

Galeno’s dam, Corazon, was emaciated when she arrived at Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society last month. She is terrified of humans, and we couldn’t get close to her to determine whether she was pregnant or not. So imagine her foster home’s surprise when she walked outside and saw Galeno one morning! Because his mom hadn’t been cared for while she was pregnant, Galeno was small and poorly muscled. He saw the veterinarian right away and was treated. He’s a lucky boy – if his mom hadn’t been removed with negligent owners, he wouldn’t have received critical care. Sadly there are many other horses like Corazon and Galeno out there who need our help. But the economy and the drought are making times tough for BEHS and the horses we look out for. Please help us help these guys – you can donate on our website athttp://www.bluebonnetequine.organd all donations are greatly appreciated! And if you have room to foster, you can help us help even more horses in Texas. Please help us help them – and give them a brighter future!Adoption Days are Here! That means half price adoption fees for you! June is half-price adoption days at BEHS. Any approved adopter will receive half-price adoption fees on any horse, donkey, mule, pony or miniature horse that they adopt during the month of June. If you want to adopt but aren’t yet approved, get that application in! You can download one at http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/help/adopt.htm– you’ll receive half-price adoption fees on any equine you adopt within 30 days of applying to adopt. Our horses are current on vaccinations, Coggins, dental care, de-worming and farrier care – so if you are looking to add to your heard, give a rescue a chance!

Time to Enter the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge

For those who don’t know about the Challenge, it is a competition in which volunteer foster homes and professional trainers work with a Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society foster horse for three months (starting in early July) and show off the horse’s training at the Challenge at the 2011 Bluebonnet Horse Expo on October 22, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The goals of the Challenge are to:

Experienced foster home – someone who has been a foster home for at least two years

Novice foster home – someone who has fostered less than two years

Youth – participants 17 and under as of January 1, 2011.

Horses in the professional trainer division will compete under saddle. All other divisions will compete in either an under saddle subcategory or an in-hand subcategory. At the Challenge, all horses will compete over an obstacle course and will be allowed an additional 10 minutes for a freestyle presentation. This may include riding skills, tricks, presentation of “before and after” history, etc. The contest will be judged by a panel of equine professionals. Each horse/trainer combination will be scored on:

Improvement from initial assessment

Condition of horse

Obstacle course

Presentation/freestyle

The horses who participate in the Challenge will go up for Adoption the day of the contest. Horses who are not broke to ride will be offered for adoption for $300. Horses who are broke to ride will be offered for adoption for $750. Pre-approved adopters may adopt and take home the horse after the Challenge. If more than one pre-approved adopter wishes to adopt the same horse, they may bid up the adoption fee and the highest bidder will adopt the horse. Adoption applications will also be accepted the day of the Challenge but those adopters will not be allowed to adopt until their property is inspected and approved.Click here for more information and/or to download a Training Challenge application.